Heavy Metals in the Soil of the Kamenjak Public Institution

Javna ustanova Kamenjak nositelj je zaštićenih područja veoma važnih ekoloških (zaštitnih) i općekorisnih funkcija. Značajno povećanje negativnog antropogenog utjecaja, ponajviše u obliku korištenja motornih vozila, uvelike se odražava na sadržaj onečišćujućih tvari u tlu poput bakra (Cu), kadmija (Cd), olova (Pb), cinka (Zn), što potencijalno negativno može utjecati na čitav hranidbeni lanac, uključujući i ljudsko zdravlje. Uzimajući u obzir iznimnu važnost krajobraza kao zaštićenog područja u svakodnevnom životu ljudi, biljnog i životinjskog svijeta, cilj ovog istraživanja bio je utvrditi prisutnost navedenih teških metala i potencijalno toksičnih elemenata u tlu, njihove koncentracije te stupanj onečišćenja. Također, monitoring je uključivao i rekognosciranje terena, s naglaskom na biljne vrste koje su ujedno i indikatori ekoloških čimbenika te potencijalnih ekstremnih prilika. Istraživanje je provedeno na sveukupno 5 lokacija u periodu od svibnja 2018. do srpnja 2019. godine, uz naknadnu fizikalno-kemijsku analizu prikupljenih uzoraka tla unutar laboratorija Hrvatskog šumarskog instituta. Dobiveni rezultati u obliku povišene razine metala kadmija, cinka, uz nešto manju koncentraciju metala bakra i olova na većini lokaliteta, ukazuju na promjene ekoloških uvjeta te na važnost nastavka ovakvih oblika istraživanja u svrhu očuvanja i održivog korištenja ovog područja.Kamenjak Public institution is the holder of protected areas of very important natural unctions and ecosystem services. Significant increase in negative anthropogenic impact, mainly with the increasing number of motor vehicles during the summer months, is largely reflected in the content of soil pollutants such as copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd), lead (Pb) and zinc (Zn), which can potentially negatively affect the entire food chain, including human health. Considering the exceptional importance of landscape as a protected area in everyday life of people, flora and fauna, the aim of this study was to determine the presence of these heavy metals and potentially toxic elements in soil, their concentrations as well as contamination levels. The research was conducted at 5 localities in the period from May 2018 to July 2019. The field research included recording species that stand out for their cover abundance, with special emphasis on indicators with a certain habitat characteristic. Soil samples were collected on a monthly basis at depths of 0-5 cm and 5-10 cm. The analysed vegetation cover belongs to grassland vegetation habitat type in early succession phase. Also, some bioindicator species indicate extreme environmental conditions in the soil (pH) and former fires. The results obtained elevated levels of cadmium and zinc with slightly lower concentrations of copper and lead in most localities. This indicates changes of environmental conditions as well as the importance of continuing research for the purpose of conservation and sustainable use of this protected area